"When CNN bid for the front row in 2007, Fox could have challenged it and had a knock-down, drag-out fight like the one we might have this time," Henry said. "But they did the gentlemanly thing and said CNN had more seniority. I've got to honor that commitment."

Two cable TV networks, which covered the White House intensively, were pressing hard for their own front row spots, alongside the three main networks. The arguments laid out by CNN and Fox News were strong, in terms of their constant coverage of the White House and the resources spent on travel. But CNN won by dint of having covered the White House longer than its more recent rival....

Fox accepted CNN's prior place in the pecking order, and the network did not complain loudly about Thomas holding on to her front-row seat.